Party set to unveil completed villa

The agent said folks are searching for Norman Rockwell Americana. By NANCY TULLIS VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU COLUMBIANA -- Tish Blasdell is having so much fun telling people about the homes available at Firestone Farms, she can't wait to get to work each day. Blasdell is the project manager for the Firestone development, of which Howard Hannah is the exclusive real estate agent. On Sunday she will host a wine-and-cheese party from noon to 5 p.m. to unveil the first completed villa, which is furnished and professionally decorated. Most of the interest in the Firestone development is coming from residents of Mahoning County and Pennsylvania, she said. "There are a lot of people who doubted we would ever get this project off the ground, but we are doing very well," she said. "Interest is high, especially from Canfield and Poland residents who are in search of that Norman Rockwell kind of Americana. Columbiana County is that place for them." Blasdell said developers plan 30 ranch and two-story villas starting at $189,000. She said the villas are 1,860 square feet. She said villas differ from condominiums because they are independent units, while condos have at least one shared wall. Seven builders available For the entire development, there are seven builders buyers can choose from and a variety of home styles. She said people can buy a home after it is built or purchase a lot and have a home built to suit by one of the seven builders. Developers plan up to 700 homes in and around the 18-hole championship golf course, The Links at Firestone Farms. Blasdell said the next phase is single-family homes along the front side of the course that will be priced at $280,000 and up. She said that developers have laid out plans but that they will "probably change hundreds of times along the way" because the development is product-driven. She said they will build depending on what people want, whether more single-family homes or condominiums. Blasdell said the builders know what type of homes and home plans are hot on the market and build accordingly. Discount for golfers She said a big draw for golfers interested in buying a home on the course is the discount green fees offered by The Links at Firestone Farms. She said Firestone Farms residents receive unlimited access to the course for $750 per year for two years, so all they have to pay any time they want to golf is $8 for a golf cart. She said many golfers interested in Firestone Farms development are amazed at that offer because they usually pay as much as $100 in greens fees for one round of golf. Blasdell said the party is just for this Sunday, but a Howard Hannah agent is available at Firestone Farms from noon to 5 p.m. daily for anyone seeking information about the upscale homes.